12/26/2019 IEEE-80 Step by Step Guide for AC Substation Earthing - Metro Rail Geek

How to Design Earthing Grid for AC Substation (IEEE 80 Design Guide)

What is earthing?
In very simple words connecting above ground non-conducting metal
part to below ground buried metal is earthing or grounding.

Why do we need earthing?

To protect human against electric shock, protect equipment from over
voltage, provide safe path for lighting over currents and prevent
accumulation of static charges. When there is a fault large amount of
energy is released. It should be diverted to some safe place i.e. earth.
While this energy flows, it should not harm anyone in vicinity. Hence, we
earth the metallic parts.

Why fault takes place and what happens during fault?

A fault takes place mostly when insulation fails or when live conductor
snaps and falls to ground. During fault, fault current flows from live
conductor to non-conducting metallic parts which may be the outer
metallic casing or support. With the help of earthing fault current is
diverted to down conductors/earth grid. Whenever current flows in any
resistance path, there is a voltage drop associated with it, So when
current flows from non-conducting metallic part to earth grid, the
potential of earth grid and the non-conducting metallic part rises. When
someone touches get shocked.

Current(mA) Effect on human body

1 Sensation is felt/ perception
9-25 Painful for human and will not
be able to move hands
60-100 Heart stops, death

If person is provided CPR immediately may survive in above situation.

The above values of current are approximate.
To design earthing grid we need to understand some basic concepts such
as Earthing Grid, step potential, touch potential and Ground Potential
Rise (GPR)

Earthing Grid:
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Consist of mesh of horizontal conductors and earth roads penetrating

below the ground. The grid material is either copper or Galvanised iron
rods or flats. The size depends on the magnitude of fault current. Depth
of laying of earthing grid is approximately 300mm to 600mm below
ground level.
Number of earthing rods and Spacing of the grid has to be selected as per
situations.
Earth Mat Installation

All non conducting metallic parts, transformer body, generator body,

distribution panels body, breakers, isolator structures, Transmission line
structures, fence, Generator and Transformer neutrals etc. The
connection between the earthing grid and above ground non metallic
parts can be via copper conductor, or GI metal strips.

Note: Avoid using copper in an area close to cathodic

protection.

Step Potential:
Step potential is the voltage between the feet of a person standing near
an energised grounded object. It is equal to the difference in voltage,
given by the voltage distribution curve, between two points at different
distances from the electrode. A person could be at risk of injury during a
fault simply by standing near the grounding point. When a fault occurs at
a substation/tower, the current will enter the earth. Based on the
distribution of varying resistivity in the soil and corresponding voltage
distribution will occur. The voltage drop in the soil surrounding the
grounding system can present hazards for personnel standing in the
vicinity of the grounding system. Personnel “stepping” in the direction of
the voltage gradient could be subjected to hazardous voltages. In the case
of Step Potentials or step voltage, electricity will flow if a difference in
potential exists between the two legs of a person. Calculations must be
performed to determine the tolerable step potential and then compare
those results to the step voltages expected to occur at the site. Fault
clearing time is an important factor to consider as well. The more time it
takes the electric utility company to clear the fault, the more likely it is
for a given level of current to cause the human heart to fibrillate.

Touch Potential:
Touch potential is the voltage between the energised object and the feet
of a person in contact with the object. It is equal to the difference in
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voltage between the object and a point some distance away. The touch
potential or touch voltage could be nearly the full voltage across the
grounded object if that object is grounded at a point remote from the
place where the person is in contact with it. When a fault occurs at a
tower or substation, the current will pass through any metallic object and
enter the earth. Those personnel “touching” an object in the vicinity of
the GPR will be subjected to these touch voltages which may be
hazardous. For example if a person happens to be touching a high-
voltage tower leg when a fault occurs, the electricity would travel down
the tower leg into the person’s hand and through vital organs of the body.
It would then continue on its path and exit out through the feet and into
the earth. Careful analysis is required to determine the acceptable
Fibrillation Currents that can be withstood by the body if a fault were to
occur.

Ground Potential Rise:

Ground Potential Rise or Earth Potential Rise (as defined by IEEE
Standard 80) is the maximum electrical potential that a (substation)
grounding grid may attain relative to a distant grounding point assumed
to be at potential of remote earth. This voltage, GPR, is equal to the
maximum grid current times the grid resistance.

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